Art PhD at University of Gloucestershire

An art research degree offers you the opportunity to explore your innovative practice as research through the production of an original body of work and to place your work in relation to the work of other practitioners in a contemporary and historical context. You’ll draw upon and extend existing knowledge and practices, and you’ll show that the research makes an original contribution to knowledge.

Typically, we’ll help you to focus and refine detailed aspects of your practice and research – aspects which may or may not have previously been associated with art practice or other exploratory research. We’ll encourage you to more critically explore the thoughts and actions of others, as well as your own imperatives as a practising artist and/or art researcher.

You’ll develop a thesis in parallel with practice-based research, and we’ll help you focus on appropriate practice for pursuing your research and refine appropriate forms of discourse and dissemination.

Alternatively, a PhD in Art can be wholly historical or theoretical, conforming to the conventions of traditional written theses. For some candidates PhD research enables them to progress their career by enabling their research to develop, and by establishing their research capabilities and credentials. The final resulting work can be submitted for publication or exhibition to appropriate contexts. For others, the PhD represents an opportunity to commit to a passion or interest that is both personally meaningful, and results in a high-level qualification.

Researchers have the opportunity to study, discuss or exhibit their work, engaging with colleagues from a range of areas via seminars, symposia and conferences both on-line and off-line: or travelling to meet with key figures from the area you wish to immerse yourself in.